Recent progress in the leading synthetic applications of acetylene is discussed from the prospect of rapid development and novel opportunities. A diversity of reactions involving the acetylene molecule to carry out vinylation processes, cross-coupling reactions, synthesis of substituted alkynes, preparation of heterocycles and the construction of a number of functionalized molecules with different levels of molecular complexity were recently studied. Of particular importance is the utilization of acetylene in the synthesis of pharmaceutical substances and drugs. The increasing interest in acetylene and its involvement in organic transformations highlights a fascinating renaissance of this simplest alkyne molecule.

The currently known methods for the preparation of vinyl ethers, vinyl sulfides and enamines are analyzed and described systematically. The published data on the reactions of alcohols, thiols and various nitrogen-containing compounds with acetylene, resulting in the corresponding vinyl derivatives, are considered. The attention is focused on the application of convenient acetylene sources. Other modern approaches to the synthesis of vinyl derivatives are described in detail, including vinyl exchange and metathesis reactions, various types of cross-coupling and cleavage of organic compounds. Some specific synthetic routes to vinyl ethers, vinyl sulfides and enamines are presented in the last Section. The bibliography includes 262 references.